Oh no, I've left my drone on the train
Bryony Morgan manager of the Bristol 2015 Lab and Helen Brown of Kecks Clothing are surrounded by items which forgetful passengers have left on First Great Western trains in the past year. The public are now invited to recycle these items and put them to good use or buy them in a jumble sale. Among the more bizarre items left are skateboards, Woody and Buzz Lightyear models and even a drone
PICTURE: BARBARA EVRIPIDOUMusical instruments, cookery books and even a drone are among the items left behind by careless passengers on First Great Western's train carriages in the past year.
And instead of letting the abandoned belongings fester in a lost and found warehouse, this weekend the public will be able to create works of art from them ^ or buy them to give them a good home. Funds raised from the sales will go to charity.
Bristol 2015 is partnering with First Great Western this weekend to host a series of "ReFound" events, giving people the chance to create their own piece of Train Treasure from lost property found on trains across the region.
Taking place at the Bristol 2015 Lab on the Harbourside, Train Treasure will provide visitors with information on how to restyle and upcycle, as well as giving them the opportunity to take home a few lost gems with a jumble sale in aid of local charities.
More than 400 items of unclaimed property are collected on First Great Western trains each week, with all items taken to the lost property department at Bristol Temple Meads to be logged, sorted and reunited with owners where possible. Items most frequently left behind include cycling helmets, umbrellas and items of clothing, but there are also some weird and wonderful items handed in. The department is currently looking for the owner of a drone.
On Saturday and Sunday, Helen Brown from Kecks Clothing will demonstrate how to create tote bags and dresses with left behind clothing, and designer and sewing tutor Jennifer Mills will show visitors how to refashion, restyle and upcycle.
The lost property available to transform will include microscooters, musical instruments, games, sports equipment, empty wallets, jewellery, clothing and sunglasses.
Children can also get hands-on with the activities. The #leaftoleaf workshop will turn unsellable or damaged books into seed paper, and Elm Tree Farm will host a workshop upcycling old cycling helmets into hanging baskets.
The lost property jumble sale will sell unclaimed items ^ some still with their tags on ^ for as little as ^1, ^2 or ^5 depending on their condition.
All funds that are raised, and any useful items left over from the weekend's activities, will be donated to charities Brandon Trust in collaboration with Elm Tree Farm, Labour behind the Label, St Mungo's Broadway, and the Creative Youth Network.
Bryony Morgan, manager of the Bristol 2015 Lab, said: "We're thrilled to be working with First Great Western to provide a new way of rehoming the many items of lost property found on their trains. Not only will the events give visitors some really useful tips for upcycling at home, but it will also raise much-needed funds for very worthy local causes."
Amie Coppin, head of sustainability for First Great Western, said: "Dedicated to supporting the communities we serve and with a minimum impact on our environment, it is great to find a new home for these lost items. They've been with us for over three months so to be able to upcycle them and create a new lease of life ^ while helping raise money for local good causes at the same time ^ is fantastic."
Train Treasure takes place at the Bristol 2015 Lab from today until Sunday, from 10am until 6pm, and is free.
